The Legal Herald
(Fox 7 News)
Sufficient Security? Our Legal Take: Austin Police Search for Possible Serial Rapist
Local News
Austin police are reportedly searching for a sexual predator who has been attacking women in and around apartment complexes in north Austin over the last two months.
Fox News 7 reports, police are searching for a “potential serial rapist” in the six cases of sexual assault, or attempted sexual assault, which have occurred in the north Austin area over the last month and a half.
“It’s happening in open areas of apartment complexes,” explained Fox 7’s Elizabeth Saab.
The attacks have apparently occurred near: Highway 290 and US 183, Duval Road and Floral Park, Northgate Boulevard, Santa Cruz Drive, and Jollyville Road.
Police met with community members Tuesday night, February 9, 2016 to explain what they’re doing to find this attacker and to provide safety tips for local residents. However, it’s unclear what local apartment complex owners are doing to protect residents and deter such crime.
Our Legal Take
Residents and guests of apartment complexes have a right to feel safe and secure within the community. Given the recent rash of apartment assaults plaguing the north Austin area, The Murray Law Firm questions the level of security provided at these apartment complexes, and whether any of these attacks may have been prevented.
- Following reports of local apartment assaults, were any security precautions implemented by the apartment complex owners or managers to deter such crime?
- How did the assailant gain entry to the property? What security measures, such as bright lighting, gated-entry, surveillance cameras, and security patrols, were in place to protect residents and guests at the time of the attacks?
Generally, property owners are required to protect all residents and guests legally on the premises from any foreseeable harm. Should the facts of this matter reveal that any of the apartment complex owners or managers failed to provide adequate security to protect those on its premises, the victims may seek justice and elect to pursue a legal claim for their injuries and suffering.
Given the complexities of pursuing a negligent security case, it is imperative that the victims retain an experienced attorney who can ensure the preservation of any and all evidence that may support such a claim. Based upon its prior experience in handling apartment security negligence claims, The Murray Law Firm suggests that photographs and a thorough, unbiased inspection of the property will need to be performed immediately, before any evidence may be repaired, damaged or destroyed.
We’ve Recovered Millions for Victims of Apartment Security Negligence…Contact us Now for a Free Consultation.
The Murray Law Firm has an extensive and successful record representing victims of violence and security negligence. We have recovered millions of dollars for our Clients, and recently obtained a $29.25 million dollar verdict for a victim of an unsafe property. We offer our legal assistance, if desired.
We represent our Clients on a contingency agreement, which generally means that no fees or payments are owed until and unless we recover. Anyone seeking further information or legal representation is encouraged to contact us via e-mail (click here) or by telephone at 888.842.1616. Consultations are free and confidential.
Choosing the Right Attorney
Selecting the right attorney for you or your family is highly important. You must feel confident that the attorney you hire has a complete understanding of the law applicable to your particular case, and has successful experience in handling such cases.
Important: Do not hire a lawyer who has violated the Rules of Professional Conduct!!!
You should not hire an attorney who calls you or visits you unsolicited, or anyone that contacts you directly to offer legal services. This activity is strictly prohibited by Rule 7.3 of the American Bar Association (ABA) Model Rules of Professional Conduct, which states as follows:
A LAWYER “SHALL NOT” CONTACT A PROSPECTIVE CLIENT THROUGH A “LIVE TELEPHONE” OR AN “IN-PERSON” VISIT.
– RULE 7.3, ABA MODEL RULES OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT.
If an attorney, or someone acting on behalf of an attorney, contacts you in this manner, that attorney is in violation of this Rule. This unethical and unprofessional activity on the part of the lawyer is good sign that you should stay away. It is imperative that you are represented by an attorney who is capable of advocating for you within the confines of the law, and an attorney who fails to abide by the Rules of Professional Conduct is probably not the best fit. In fact, any such attorney should be immediately reported to the local State Bar Association. If you have been contacted in such an unsolicited manner, contact us and we’ll assist you in filing a report.
Contingency Fees Disclaimer: “Contingent attorneys’ fees refers only to those fees charged by attorneys for their legal services. Such fees are not permitted in all types of cases. Court costs and other additional expenses of legal action usually must be paid by the client.”